API is an abbreviation for application
program interface, it consists of a set of protocols and rules that specifies
how the software components should interact. APIs are published so that third
party software developers can innovate and create software applications that uses
the data from the publisher.
Broadly there are three types of
API - Private API, Open API and Partner API. There are no clear definition for
these terms, however each can be classified based on their specific
characteristics.
Private API: The characteristics
of private API or closed API is that it is not marketed to the public and no
documentation regarding the API is made public. Here the access is limited to a
specific set of developers or organizations.
Open API: Open API is
characterized by the fact that they are published/shared for free. The
documentation for open API are made publically available, this encourages
third-party organizations and developers to be innovative and develop ways to
use the software product.
Partner API: The API of certain
applications are published to a partner for developing/supporting applications
run within the partner organization, thus partner API can be considered as a
hybrid of private and open API.
Use of API has simplified the way software applications are
developed. With API, the third party developer will have something to work
rather than starting from scratch this save a lot on time and cost.
Read More: Growing relevance of
API
